Hey Don Do you know if they will put the 4014 on the old Santa Fe tracks that are near by (about 1500 feet directly)? Or do they have a different route planned?
Not sure how they are going to get it to Cheyenne. If I find out will post. Or maybe someone else knows. Don
According to Trains Online News Wire, 4014 will be inspected from underneath now that it is on the panel track and accessible. After that inspection, 4014 will be moved about 5000 feet onto the Metrolink mainline via a temporary panel track connection, and to a temporary holding area at Basset. It then will be moved to West Colton Yard for final preparation prior to the move via Cajon Pass to the UP Steam Shop at Cheyenne. No schedule was given for any of these moves.
Any word on what they will use to haul this behemoth back and forth with? Obviously it's won't be under it's own power.
They did a news video on local KABC ch7 on the 6:00 news, very cool watching them pulling it out from its sleeping place.
Oh this I got to see! It's great to see her actually moving, even if just pulled by a frontend loader! So presumably, she'll be moved over the old Second district Metrolink line to San Bernardino and then down to UP rails to West Colton? Can't wait! Otto K.
Trains News Wire has posted an update of today's 4014 move progress. Does anyone know how to make an RSS transfer of that article? I tried to post the URL link, but to access the article through the link you have to be registered with Trains.com. Registering is no big deal and doesn't cost anything, just that some folks don't want to.
Can't help with the RSS transfer. Some interesting things have surfaced. I was daydreaming about how they could possibly utilize the engine brakes by installing an air compressor for a source and tying it into the brake system plumbing. They did just that. Someone commented on pulling the Big Boy with a single strand of fabric cable--that stuff is incredibly strong. I have some in my shop that was salvaged from outdated SR-71 drag chutes. I have towed cars with it, no problem. The engine is moving with snap track sections laid and "leap frogged" around the engine. It has to move about a mile for access to the MetroLink track, then to UP. The fact that this is actually happening is quite mind boggling.
This is quite exciting to see! Finally, I have been able to see a moving Big Boy. Can't wait for that final product!
People have dreamed of this for decades. When finished, this will be an enormous event. Now, if only that 9000 could also be brought back to life!
It is interesting to hear the sounds as that weight rolls along. Imagining the forces of that tonnage on those rails and ties is almost mind boggling. I hope we'll eventually see more of how this progresses.
